Weather was a real question mark for this trip. The Tropical Depression
was forecast to start heading east the night before, but the morning of the trip
it was still drifting north. Data from the weather buoys were not too bad, so
we continued with the fishing plans, and headed out of port bright and early.
Not knowing how long the weather would remain safe, we started at our
deepest target, the 20 mile buoy. Only two days before, we found Wahoo
nearby, so we were hoping for some action.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711Kingon2.jpg
Weeds were found, and flying fish, so lines went out at 120'. It took a while
but a fish finally came. It was not a Wahoo, but not a Cuda Either, this was
a King. Being big enough to take a few runs pulling drag, my guest were
happy with the plan. Fish came in , and went on ice, and back to fishing we
went.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711King1.jpg
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711Cuda1.jpg
The next fish would repeat itself several times before we decided to hit the
reef for some bottom time, Cuda. We caught several Barracuda, and had a
few short strikes killing the tail half of the ballyhoo, with no hookup. As we
were about to pull lines in, a good hit came, and the drag really screamed.
We were hoping for at least another King, or better yet a Wahoo, but it was'nt.
It was not a Cuda either, but a good fighting large False Albicore Tuna. This
fish gave the angler the best fishing fight she ever had, and any Tuna in the
20 pound range is a good fighter.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711Fishon3.jpg
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711Fishing2.jpg
Into the reef we went. Anchored up, everyone went fishing. The bite was
really slow, as reef standards go. Even the Sea Bass bite was slow, and
this trip was the first ever in this location with no Grunts or Pinfish caught.
There were a lot of Reef Sharks there however, and several were caught.
A few of the larger good eating Atlantic Sharpnosed were retained to add
to the icebox. An undersized Blacktip was also caught, but far from the
54" minimum size. The 20kt winds we had out deeper were non-existant
at the reef, and the heat made it miserable. With fish to clean, we headed
back to Port Canaveral, to both take a break from the heat, and beat the
building storms.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/ACMEVentures/080711Fishing4.jpg

Did your clients know that tunny isn't going to taste like regular "tuna" ?
I know there are ways to cook them, but most people don't eat them.

ACME Ventures Fishing

08-08-2011, 11:06 AM

Yes, they were informed. Just as a lot of people think these are "Bonita", most do
not realize they are edible. There is a lot of waste however, with a large fish
yeilding very little clean meat. This guest wanted it, so I told them how to prepare it,
and the rest of the carcass leaves me a lot of chum and strips for bait!

They may not be as good eating as other "Red Meat" Tuna's, but the FAT Alberts (False
Albicore Tuna - when they bulk up like this one) certainly fight like any other Tuna!
Properly cleaned and prepared, and grilled, they actually dont taste that bad....if
you do it right.

bluepit

08-08-2011, 11:29 AM

Blacktips do not have to be 54" do they. The regulation reads 54" for all sharks except Alantic Sharpnose , Blacknose, Blacktip, Bonnethead, Finetooth and Smooth Dogfish. Am I looking at it wrong if so I need to know before I screw up.

ACME Ventures Fishing

08-08-2011, 12:05 PM

Though the state adjusted regs to more closely follow Federal regs, the Blacktip
is apparently rhe difference. Below is copied from the Federal Regs, for fish caught
past the 3 mile Atlantic State limits. You cannot go by the state regs when fishing
past 3 miles, there are several differences, some good, some bad.

Recreational vessels must possess a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permit to fish for sharks in federal waters. Vessels are limited to one shark greater than 54” fork length per trip, PLUS one bonnethead and one Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per trip (no size minimum). There is no size limit or bag limit for smooth and spiny dogfish. There are currently no Federal recreational management measures for or Federal recreational permits needed to retain smooth or spiny dogfish. Anglers may need
to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry (https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov)